The Man of Sorrows. A Little Journey to the Home of Jesus of Nazareth
East Aurora: Roycroft Press, 1904. First Edition. Leather. Signed. Near Fine. Item #48711
8vo. Binding dimensions 20 x 15 cm. Pp. 150, [2]. Number 37 of an edition limited to 102 copies on Japan Vellum and illuminated by hand, signed by Elbert Hubbard. Top edge gilt, with silk endpapers and pagemarker. Beautifully bound in full modeled leather by Frederick C. Kranz. Kranz started at the Roycroft bindery in 1903. This example is in full dark green/brown leather, featuring a tree and copper hammered background to the upper cover, and copper hammered design to rear cover, with a very coppery-hue that could be mistaken for light rubbing. The board corners are a touch rubbed, the spine with a few scratches and light stress creases to the leather at the joints, but without cracking or joint wear. The book is clean and bright and the binding is perfectly sound. The previous owner's name is stamped in small letters to marbled endpaper (r) and a bookplate to that endpaper (v). The spine lettering is quite attractive and curious, positioned vertically and spaced out between compartments from head to foot, in an etched fashion. The binding is very much in the style of the work commissioned by Thomas W. Lawson (1857-1925), a wealthy Boston stockbroker and author. The John J. Burns Library has some wonderful examples of these bindings (see John J. Burns Library Blog for more details). A lovely copy, housed in the original silk-lined green paper box, with the label. Box rubbed and worn at edges and corners.
Price (CAD): $5,750.00